The Arabic name for God. Arab Muslims
and Christians alike use the word "Allah" when referring
to God. Muslims from around the world generally use this word to
refer to God as it is considered the Highest of Names of God. The
Qur'an identifies 99 Names or God.

Awliya

Literally means the Friends of God.
Plural of Wali which generally refers to the Illuminated
Saints of God.

B

Burdah
Shareef

Sharaf al-Din Muhammad al-Busiri's
(608-696 Hijri - Islamic Calendar) illustrious poem, al-Kawakib
al-durriyya fi madh khayr al-bariyya (The resplendent stars
in the praise of the Best of Creation - peace be upon him), which
became known as Qasidat al-Burdah, is one of the literary
treasures of the Arabic language. It is a model of true and excellent
praise for the Prophet (peace be upon him), which contains the rarest
pearls and lessons on the etiquette of humility and respect before
the Elect One of creation and the Beloved of the Lord (peace be
of the worlds upon him).

This poem was taught, copied, distributed, recited, transcribed
on mosque walls, memorized, commented on, studied, and considered
required reading by countless scholars, including the hadith masters
Sakhawi and Suyuti, and their students (may
God have mercy on them). Hafiz Abu Shama (may God have
mercy on them) wrote a commentary on it that is yet unpublished.
Ibn Taymiyya (may God have mercy on them), in the book
attributed to him under the title al-Sarim al maslul `ala
shatim al-rasul (The drawn sword against those who disrespect
the Prophet), said:

The foundation of the religion of Islam is built on praising,
glorifying, and treating with dignity the Leader of all the Prophets,
may peace be upon them all. Such praise, glorification, and treating
with dignity is praise for the entire Religion; and its removal
is the end of the Religion. By not giving such respect to the
Prophet (peace be upon him), all religion comes to an end. --
Source (http://sunnah.org/ibadaat/alburda_alsharif.htm)

D

Du'a

Supplication to God for the fulfillment
of a need.

I

Iftar

The dinner taken to break the fast.

Isaal-e-Sawaab

The act of sending
the reward of one’s good deeds to the souls of those who have
passed away from this world and are experiencing a life in grave
(the realm in which the soul resides between its separation from
the body and the Day of Judgment).

L

Langar Qadriyya

A free dinner open to the public based
on the tradition of the Great Saint Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (May
God be pleased with him).

F

Fatiha

Fatiha literally means Opening; however,
this term is used to describe the recitation of the Qur'an (which
includes the Opening chapter of the Qur'an) and dedicating the benefit
of the recitation to souls of the Prophets (peace be upon them),
and any great personalities of Islam, or muslim souls in general.

N

Na'at

Poetry recitation praising the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him). These recitations invoke a deep sense
of love and honor for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and
all that is connected with him.

Q

Qur'an

The Holy Book of the Muslims as revealed
by God to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family)
over a period of 23 years.

R

Ruqya

The Prophetic (peace be upon him)
healing method of treatment which includes the recitation of the
Qur'an either by the patient or the practitioner. Often includes
blowing on water and giving the patient to drink or on the affected
part of the body. Ruqya may also involve healing by touch while
the practitioner reads the verses or supplication.

S

Sufi

A Muslim who takes the spriritual
path or Tariqa to God. The practice of which has come to be known
as Sufism or Tasawwuf.

Salaam

Sending blessings,
prayer, or greetings upon the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him.

T

Taweez

Derived from the Arabic root letters ('A, W, Z) from which "A'uzu" is derived, which means to "seek protection of " of God, generally from something, such as Satan, sickness, and so forth. Generally involves the writing of Qur'anic verses on a piece of paper, and wearing a means of protection. Verses written with natural coloring (Saffron flower) on non-toxic paper and submerged in water is also generally administered and the patient is required to drink water in which the verses are disolved. An extremely effective form of treatment for various illnesses here at the IECRC. See image below.

Z

Zikr

Remembrance of God
Most High and His Beloved Prophet - peace be upon him, in any form.
Reciting the Qur'an, reciting poetry praising God or His Beloved
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), mentioning the Divine Names
of God, all are forms of Zikr and may be performed in group or alone.
Quite often sounds like a form of chanting when done in a group.